Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Twenty Two

"So we lost, Star. Sorry about that. I think I probably mislead you. I honestly thought we could take them. Course I didn't realize just how really terrible you are at pool." He grins.

Um delicious.

"So what's it gonna be Synna?" Mikey says, putting his stick on the pool table.

I can just imagine what it's going to be. Synna would like nothing better then to embarrass my ass with Mikey. I've had a few beers, so I'm by no means drunk, but definitely relaxed. Bring it on Synna. I can take anything you throw my way. I place my stick on the table next to Michael's.

Depending on what it is I might actually like it.

"Ok, I want you guys to go to your room, Mikey, and let Star show you her new tattoo! Also, Star, just be yourself, do what feels right, don't be all up in your head. Mikey already likes you." She winks at Mikey.

What?

I look at Mikey. He smiles and looks down at the pool table.

"Thank you, Synna. I usually prefer to tell the girl these things myself. Star, you don't have to. It's a stupid pool game. No worries if you'd rather just hang out here."

No. No, I'm good with your room. Wait, didn't you move?

"I thought you and Becca moved across the street from us." I say.

"You live at Lions Head? I didn't know that. That's nice to know. Yeah we started moving, but we still have a lot to take over. We'll be here for the next few nights."

"Synna, I'm not afraid to be alone with Mikey." I say, throwing her my best fake confident smile.

Yes I am.

"If you say so." Synna says.

"Ok, then follow me." Mikey says, holding out his hand to me.

"Enjoy it, Star. Let us know how you like it. Mikey's pretty good from past girls reactions." Scutter says, laughing.

I give Scutter my bitchiest look, and walk around the pool table to Mikey, taking his hand. Oh my God I'm holding his hand.

Calm, Star. Be calm.

Mikey and I walk through the living room towards the hall that leads to the back of the house. I haven't seen Marcus or Laney since they went upstairs. No surprise. I guess someone will let Laney know where I am, if and when she ever comes back down.

We get to the very end of the hall and enter a room on the left. It's big, mostly filled with boxes and surprisingly nice furniture. Not at all what you'd expect college kids to have. Mikey's room could easily fit three of Laney and I's dorm rooms in it. Jealous. I'm jealous, I'll admit.

"Sit wherever you like....and Star, relax. I'm not going to attack you." He says, grinning.

Embarrassing. I thought I was doing so well.

"What? No, I'm fine!" I try to laugh it off.

Fail.

"Nah, idiot Jayce freaked you out. I promise, you're safe with me. So you got a tattoo? Your first?" Mikey sits down on a black leather couch.

I sit down on the floor not too far from him. He picks up his guitar and starts playing some chords.

"You can sit on the couch you know."

"No its ok, I like your wood floors. Our dorm, everything's concrete. Concrete block walls, concrete floor, and to make it worse, it's all painted this hideous shade of yellow."

I hate yellow.

"Oh man, Yellow sucks. My least favorite color. So show me your tattoo...if you want to, that is." He smiles.

I can't even believe he's the same guy who was such a jerk to me the other day.

"Yeah, my first. Synna's idea actually." I unzip my red hoodie and pull it off.

"Synna's wild. Be careful around her, she'll get you in trouble." He says.

I pull my tank top and bra strap down over my shoulder showing my stars.

"That's nice, pretty. You like it?"

"Yeah, I really do. I didn't think I would, and it hurt like hell." I say, grinning.

I pull my straps back up, leaving my jacket off. Mikey's laughing.

"Why'd you get one if you didn't really want it?" He's softly playing some song. It's really good.

"Well...um, Synna was very persuasive." I laugh.

"She blackmailed you. What'd she use?"

I could lie. What would I say? Just be honest, he has been.

"Ok, she told me if I didn't get one with her...she'd tell Jax I wanted, um...."

"To sleep with me. Yep, that sounds like Synna. Sorry about that. For your own good, you should know, she would've done it if you hadn't got the tattoo. She always makes good on her threats. She's really not as bad as I'm making her out, it's just until she's comfortable with you, she pushes it. It's her own insecurities. She thinks if she pushes hard in the beginning, before she starts to care about someone, if they bolt, it saves her from getting hurt later. It has to do with her mom and brother. Just a fucked up family overall."

"Wow. That's really kind of sad. I had no idea. She doesn't come across insecure at all!"

"No, she doesn't, but she's just good at faking it."

"So, she mentioned you had a few tattoos?"

"Yeah, four." He puts down his guitar and unbuttons his flannel, taking it off.

Breathe.

"So this one is a Japanese cherry blossom tree. There's no meaning to why I got it, I just liked it and thought it looked cool." He laughs.

"This is my sister, obviously," He says, turning his wrist up so I can see his sister's name. "...and this is the bands' name in Russian." He holds out his right forearm.

"Those are cool. What do the stripes mean?" I ask, about the stripes around his arm. Synna didn't tell me about those.

"Nothing, just liked it. So, the stars, they're because of your name?" He asks putting back on his shirt.

"Yeah. You probably think that's lame. I guess it is." I smile.

"Don't do that. Don't cut yourself down. The stars are nice. Beautiful, actually. Just like you."

Ok.

"Thank you." I can feel myself blushing. I can't even look at him.

"Anytime. You mind if I sing you a song? Not hitting on you, cause that WOULD be lame. Musician, in a band, singing to the girl. Just wanna see what you think. It's something I just wrote, you'll be the first to hear it. You good with that?" He says, smiling.

Oh my God, yes.